A museum attendant looks after a gallery in a museum

Museum

A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...

 for security reasons, to help museum visitors, and sometimes to help curator

Curator

A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...

s in moving objects or changing the gallery displays. The position is sometimes undertaken by volunteers.

Responsibilities

Typical responsibilities include:

• Conducting the front of house
  Front of House
  Front of house is primarily a theatrical term, referring to the portion of the building that is open to the public. In theatre and live music venues, it typically refers to the auditorium and foyer, as opposed to the stage and backstage areas...
  
  operation of museum
• Provides information about regulations, facilities, and exhibits to visitors
• Opening museum during opening hours
• Greeting visitors on arrival
• Inviting visitors to sign the visitor book
• Monitoring visitors while viewing exhibits
• Cautioning people (often children) for not complying with museum regulations
• Handing out promotional materials
• Answering questions concerning exhibits, regulations, facilities, etc.
• Arranging tours for schools or other groups
• Organizing volunteers or other staff members to conduct tours
• Examining exhibits and objects periodically
• Notifying museum personnel when repair or replacement is required

The exact nature of the responsibilities required will depend on the size and type of museum, and the exact role designated to the museum attendant.